List of The Smashing Pumpkins band members
Encyclopedia
The Smashing Pumpkins
is an alternative rock
band formed in Chicago
, Illinois
in 1988. The band was formed by guitarist/vocalist Billy Corgan
and guitarist James Iha
after the demise of Corgan's first band, The Marked. Since its inception, The Smashing Pumpkins has gone through multiple line-up changes, with Corgan the only consistent member.
After the breakup of his gothic rock band The Marked, singer and guitarist Billy Corgan left St. Petersburg, Florida, to return to his native city of Chicago, where he took a job in a record store. While working there, he met guitarist James Iha. The pair soon began writing songs together with the aid of a drum machine. Corgan met bassist D'arcy Wretzky
in mid 1988 after a show by the Dan Reed Network
where they argued the merits of the band. After finding out Wretzky played bass, Corgan stated his band's need for a bassist and gave Wretzky his telephone number. Wretzky soon joined the band, and she and Iha later had a short-lived romance.
The first performance of The Smashing Pumpkins was on July 9, 1988, at the Polish bar Chicago 21. This performance included only Corgan and Iha with a drum machine. On August 10, 1988, the band played for the first time as a trio at the Avalon Nightclub. After this show, Cabaret Metro
owner Joe Shanahan
agreed to book the band on the condition that they replace the drum machine with a live drummer. Jazz drummer Jimmy Chamberlin
was recruited for the band after a recommendation from a friend of Corgan's. On October 5, 1988, the complete band took the stage for the first time at the Cabaret Metro.
Soon after the release of their third album, Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness
in 1995, the group recruited keyboardist Jonathan Melvoin
to perform on the ensuring tour. However, on July 11, 1996, Melvion and Chamberlin overdosed on heroin in a New York City hotel room. Melvoin died, and Chamberlin was arrested for drug possession. A few days later, the band announced that Chamberlin had been fired as a result of the incident. The Pumpkins chose to finish the tour, and hired drummer Matt Walker
and keyboardist Dennis Flemion
as temporary replacements. Corgan later said the decision to continue touring was the worst the band had ever made, damaging both their music and their reputation.
In early 1999, Jimmy Chamberlin rejoined the band; however, the lineup was short-lived, as bassist D'arcy Wretzky announced her departure that September. She was subsequently replaced by former Hole
bassist, Melissa Auf der Maur
, who performed on the “Sacred and Profane" tour and appeared in music videos. On May 23, 2000, in a live radio interview on KROQ-FM
(Los Angeles), Billy Corgan announced the band's decision to break up at the end of that year following additional touring and recording. The Smashing Pumpkins played at the Cabaret Metro on December 2, 2000, before a six-year disbandment.
On July 21, 2005, Corgan stated in full-page advertisements in the Chicago Tribune
and Chicago Sun-Times
to announce that he had planned to reunite the band. On April 20, 2006, the band's official website confirmed the reunion. Corgan and Chamberlin were verified as participants in the reunion, but there was question as to whether other former members of the band would participate. In April 2007, Iha and Auf der Maur separately confirmed that they were not taking part in the reunion. Wretzky did not make an announcement, but Chamberlin would later state that Iha and Wretzky "didn't want to be a part of" the reunion. The Smashing Pumpkins performed live for the first time since 2000 on May 22, 2007, in Paris, France, with new member Jeff Schroeder
on guitar, as well as keyboardist Lisa Harriton
and Ginger Reyes on bass guitar.
This line-up toured to promote the 2007 album Zeitgeist
and performed again throughout 2008 to celebrate the band's 20th anniversary—this time, the instrumentation was augmented by No Doubt
trumpeter Stephen Bradley and trombonist Gabrial McNair
, Kristopher Pooley
on accordion and keyboards, and Gingger Shankar
playing the rare 10-string violin. In March 2009, Corgan announced on the band's website that longtime drummer Jimmy Chamberlin, had left the group; Chamberlin stated that the split was amicable, commenting that he was "glad [Corgan] has chosen to continue under the name. It is his right." Corgan later stated that he fired Chamberlin and began searching for his replacement. In August 2009, Corgan confirmed on the band's website that drummer Mike Byrne
had replaced Chamberlin after a series of open auditions. Keyboardist Lisa Harriton quietly left the group in 2009. In March 2010, bassist Ginger Reyes (now Ginger Pooley) officially left the band in order to focus on her family and was briefly replaced by Mark Tulin
of The Electric Prunes
. In May 2010, Nicole Fiorentino
was announced as the official replacement for Pooley.
The Smashing Pumpkins
The Smashing Pumpkins are an American alternative rock band that formed in Chicago, Illinois in 1988. Formed by Billy Corgan frontman and James Iha , the band has included Jimmy Chamberlin , D'arcy Wretzky , and currently includes Jeff Schroeder Mike Byrne , and Nicole Fiorentino The Smashing...
is an alternative rock
Alternative rock
Alternative rock is a genre of rock music and a term used to describe a diverse musical movement that emerged from the independent music underground of the 1980s and became widely popular by the 1990s...
band formed in Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
, Illinois
Illinois
Illinois is the fifth-most populous state of the United States of America, and is often noted for being a microcosm of the entire country. With Chicago in the northeast, small industrial cities and great agricultural productivity in central and northern Illinois, and natural resources like coal,...
in 1988. The band was formed by guitarist/vocalist Billy Corgan
Billy Corgan
William Patrick "Billy" Corgan, Jr. is an American singer, songwriter, guitarist and occasional poet best known as the frontman and sole permanent member of The Smashing Pumpkins. Formed by Corgan and guitarist James Iha in Chicago, Illinois in 1987, the band quickly gained steam with the...
and guitarist James Iha
James Iha
James Yoshinobu Iha b. March 26, 1968 in Chicago, Illinois) is a Japanese American rock musician. He is best known as having been a guitarist and co-founder of the alternative rock band The Smashing Pumpkins and for his eclectic musical projects of recent years, most notably being a permanent...
after the demise of Corgan's first band, The Marked. Since its inception, The Smashing Pumpkins has gone through multiple line-up changes, with Corgan the only consistent member.
After the breakup of his gothic rock band The Marked, singer and guitarist Billy Corgan left St. Petersburg, Florida, to return to his native city of Chicago, where he took a job in a record store. While working there, he met guitarist James Iha. The pair soon began writing songs together with the aid of a drum machine. Corgan met bassist D'arcy Wretzky
D'arcy Wretzky
D'arcy Elizabeth Wretzky is an American musician. She is best known for her work as the original bass player of the alternative rock band The Smashing Pumpkins...
in mid 1988 after a show by the Dan Reed Network
Dan Reed Network
The Dan Reed Network is a funk rock band formed by Dan Reed in Portland, Oregon, United States, in 1984. Dan Reed lended his vocals to a 1990 rap rock collaboration with the Portland Trail Blazers, "Bust a Bucket".-Breathless beginnings:...
where they argued the merits of the band. After finding out Wretzky played bass, Corgan stated his band's need for a bassist and gave Wretzky his telephone number. Wretzky soon joined the band, and she and Iha later had a short-lived romance.
The first performance of The Smashing Pumpkins was on July 9, 1988, at the Polish bar Chicago 21. This performance included only Corgan and Iha with a drum machine. On August 10, 1988, the band played for the first time as a trio at the Avalon Nightclub. After this show, Cabaret Metro
Metro Chicago
This page is about the concert hall; for the metro region surrounding Chicago, see Chicago metropolitan area.Metro is a concert hall at 3730 N. Clark Street in Chicago, Illinois that plays host to a variety of local, regional and national emerging bands and musicians. The Metro was first opened in...
owner Joe Shanahan
Joe Shanahan
Joe Shanahan is the founder and owner of Metro Chicago and Smart Bar in Chicago, Illinois. He is also the part owner of the Daily Bar and Grill, as well as Double Door....
agreed to book the band on the condition that they replace the drum machine with a live drummer. Jazz drummer Jimmy Chamberlin
Jimmy Chamberlin
Jimmy Chamberlin is an American drummer, songwriter, and producer. He is best known as the former drummer for the alternative rock band The Smashing Pumpkins. After a drug-related incident with touring keyboardist Jonathan Melvoin in 1996, Chamberlin was fired from the band and joined The Last...
was recruited for the band after a recommendation from a friend of Corgan's. On October 5, 1988, the complete band took the stage for the first time at the Cabaret Metro.
Soon after the release of their third album, Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness
Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness
Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness is the third album by American alternative rock band The Smashing Pumpkins, released October 24, 1995 on Virgin Records. Produced by frontman Billy Corgan with Flood and Alan Moulder, the twenty-eight-track album was released as a two-disc CD and triple LP...
in 1995, the group recruited keyboardist Jonathan Melvoin
Jonathan Melvoin
Jonathan Melvoin was an American musician active in the 1980s and 1990s.He was the brother of Susannah and Wendy Melvoin of Prince and the Revolution. He first learned to play drums, and was cited by friends and relatives as one of those people who could play anything...
to perform on the ensuring tour. However, on July 11, 1996, Melvion and Chamberlin overdosed on heroin in a New York City hotel room. Melvoin died, and Chamberlin was arrested for drug possession. A few days later, the band announced that Chamberlin had been fired as a result of the incident. The Pumpkins chose to finish the tour, and hired drummer Matt Walker
Matt Walker (drummer)
Matt Walker is a musician and former drummer for Filter, The Smashing Pumpkins and current drummer for Morrissey.Matt Walker began his career in Chicago in the mid 80s, when Matt began playing drums for the already well known Scott Bennett of Scott Bennett & The Obvious and did double duty playing...
and keyboardist Dennis Flemion
Dennis Flemion
Dennis Flemion is a founding member, with his younger brother Jimmy, of controversial independent rock band The Frogs. He is the primary percussionist for the band...
as temporary replacements. Corgan later said the decision to continue touring was the worst the band had ever made, damaging both their music and their reputation.
In early 1999, Jimmy Chamberlin rejoined the band; however, the lineup was short-lived, as bassist D'arcy Wretzky announced her departure that September. She was subsequently replaced by former Hole
Hole (band)
Hole is an American alternative rock band that originally formed in Los Angeles in 1989. The band is fronted by vocalist/songwriter and rhythm guitarist Courtney Love, who co-founded Hole with former songwriter/lead guitarist Eric Erlandson...
bassist, Melissa Auf der Maur
Melissa Auf der Maur
Melissa Auf der Maur is a Canadian rock musician from Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Her career has included 5 years as bassist with the band Hole and she later toured with The Smashing Pumpkins for their 2000 tour. Her second solo album, Out of Our Minds, was released on March 30, 2010. She is also a...
, who performed on the “Sacred and Profane" tour and appeared in music videos. On May 23, 2000, in a live radio interview on KROQ-FM
KROQ-FM
KROQ-FM — branded 106.7 KROQ — is a commercial modern rock radio station licensed to Pasadena, California serving the Greater Los Angeles. The call sign is pronounced "kay rock." It is the flagship station of Loveline hosted by Dr...
(Los Angeles), Billy Corgan announced the band's decision to break up at the end of that year following additional touring and recording. The Smashing Pumpkins played at the Cabaret Metro on December 2, 2000, before a six-year disbandment.
On July 21, 2005, Corgan stated in full-page advertisements in the Chicago Tribune
Chicago Tribune
The Chicago Tribune is a major daily newspaper based in Chicago, Illinois, and the flagship publication of the Tribune Company. Formerly self-styled as the "World's Greatest Newspaper" , it remains the most read daily newspaper of the Chicago metropolitan area and the Great Lakes region and is...
and Chicago Sun-Times
Chicago Sun-Times
The Chicago Sun-Times is an American daily newspaper published in Chicago, Illinois. It is the flagship paper of the Sun-Times Media Group.-History:The Chicago Sun-Times is the oldest continuously published daily newspaper in the city...
to announce that he had planned to reunite the band. On April 20, 2006, the band's official website confirmed the reunion. Corgan and Chamberlin were verified as participants in the reunion, but there was question as to whether other former members of the band would participate. In April 2007, Iha and Auf der Maur separately confirmed that they were not taking part in the reunion. Wretzky did not make an announcement, but Chamberlin would later state that Iha and Wretzky "didn't want to be a part of" the reunion. The Smashing Pumpkins performed live for the first time since 2000 on May 22, 2007, in Paris, France, with new member Jeff Schroeder
Jeff Schroeder
Jeff Schroeder is a Korean American rock musician, who became a guitarist with the alternative rock band The Smashing Pumpkins in 2007. He is currently finishing his Ph.D...
on guitar, as well as keyboardist Lisa Harriton
Lisa Harriton
Lisa Rae Harriton is an English rock musician, who became a touring keyboardist and back-up vocalist with the alternative rock band, The Smashing Pumpkins in 2007. She is also a singer/songwriter serving up a soulful blend of pop infused with jazz and world influences...
and Ginger Reyes on bass guitar.
This line-up toured to promote the 2007 album Zeitgeist
Zeitgeist (The Smashing Pumpkins album)
Zeitgeist is the seventh album by American alternative rock band The Smashing Pumpkins, released on July 10, 2007 in the United States and Canada. It was the first album The Smashing Pumpkins released after their 2000 disbandment and 2005 reunion. The album was produced by Roy Thomas Baker, Billy...
and performed again throughout 2008 to celebrate the band's 20th anniversary—this time, the instrumentation was augmented by No Doubt
No Doubt
No Doubt is an American rock band from Anaheim, California that formed in 1986. The ska-pop sound of their first album No Doubt , failed to make an impact...
trumpeter Stephen Bradley and trombonist Gabrial McNair
Gabrial McNair
Gabrial "Gabe" McNair is a multi-instrumentalist and composer, most famous for his work in No Doubt since 1993 as a trombonist, keyboardist, and backing vocalist. He recorded and toured with Green Day during the Nimrod and Warning tours, playing trombone and tenor saxophone...
, Kristopher Pooley
Kristopher Pooley
Kristopher Michael Pooley is an American rock musician from Detroit that is most popular for his work with Gwen Stefani as her touring keyboardist, programmer, and musical director. He has also toured with Jane's Addiction, Kenna, Justincase, Liz Phair, Siouxsie Sioux, The Vandals, Smashing...
on accordion and keyboards, and Gingger Shankar
Gingger Shankar
-Career:Gingger was raised in Los Angeles as well as India. Growing up within one of India's most acclaimed musical families, she learned singing, violin, dance, and piano. She studied opera vocals from Rose Marie Cardinale, famed opera star. She also modeled and acted in stage productions...
playing the rare 10-string violin. In March 2009, Corgan announced on the band's website that longtime drummer Jimmy Chamberlin, had left the group; Chamberlin stated that the split was amicable, commenting that he was "glad [Corgan] has chosen to continue under the name. It is his right." Corgan later stated that he fired Chamberlin and began searching for his replacement. In August 2009, Corgan confirmed on the band's website that drummer Mike Byrne
Mike Byrne (musician)
Michael William Byrne is the drummer for The Smashing Pumpkins. When Pumpkins frontman Billy Corgan called for rehearsals to replace Jimmy Chamberlin, Byrne auditioned and was chosen out of thousands of applicants...
had replaced Chamberlin after a series of open auditions. Keyboardist Lisa Harriton quietly left the group in 2009. In March 2010, bassist Ginger Reyes (now Ginger Pooley) officially left the band in order to focus on her family and was briefly replaced by Mark Tulin
Mark Tulin
Mark Tulin was the bassist with The Electric Prunes. They had hit singles with "I Had Too Much To Dream Last Night" and "Get Me To The World on Time"...
of The Electric Prunes
The Electric Prunes
The Electric Prunes are an American rock band who first achieved international attention as an experimental psychedelic group in the late 1960s. Their song "Kyrie Eleison" was featured on the soundtrack of Easy Rider...
. In May 2010, Nicole Fiorentino
Nicole Fiorentino
Nicole Fiorentino is an American bass guitarist. Originally a touring member of the alternative rock band The Smashing Pumpkins , she became an official member in 2010...
was announced as the official replacement for Pooley.
Current
, the lineup of The Smashing Pumpkins includes one vocalist/guitarist, one rhythm guitarist, one bassist, and a drummer.| Image | Name | Years active | Instruments | Release contributions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
1988–2000 2006–present | vocals, lead guitar Lead guitar Lead guitar is a guitar part which plays melody lines, instrumental fill passages, guitar solos, and occasionally, some riffs within a song structure... , keyboards Keyboard instrument A keyboard instrument is a musical instrument which is played using a musical keyboard. The most common of these is the piano. Other widely used keyboard instruments include organs of various types as well as other mechanical, electromechanical and electronic instruments... |
All The Smashing Pumpkins releases The Smashing Pumpkins discography The discography of The Smashing Pumpkins, an American alternative rock band that formed in Chicago, Illinois, consists of eight studio albums, four live albums, one digital live album series, seven compilation albums , five extended plays , 41 singles , four video albums, 23 music videos... |
|
| 2007–present | rhythm guitar Rhythm guitar Rhythm guitar is a technique and rôle that performs a combination of two functions: to provide all or part of the rhythmic pulse in conjunction with singers or other instruments; and to provide all or part of the harmony, ie. the chords, where a chord is a group of notes played together... , backing vocals |
Teargarden by Kaleidyscope Teargarden by Kaleidyscope Teargarden by Kaleidyscope is the eighth album by American alternative rock band The Smashing Pumpkins. A series of 44 individual songs, it is being released one track at a time through free MP3 downloads over the course of several years... (2009 onward) |
||
| 2009–present | drums Drum kit A drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person .... , percussion Percussion instrument A percussion instrument is any object which produces a sound when hit with an implement or when it is shaken, rubbed, scraped, or otherwise acted upon in a way that sets the object into vibration... |
Teargarden by Kaleidyscope (2009 onward) | ||
| 2010–present | bass guitar Bass guitar The bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick.... , backing vocals |
Teargarden by Kaleidyscope (2009 onward) |
Former
The former members of The Smashing Pumpkins consist of two bassists, one guitarist, and one drummer.| Image | Name | Years active | Instruments | Release contributions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
1988–2000 | guitar, backing vocals | All The Smashing Pumpkins releases until Machina II/The Friends & Enemies of Modern Music MACHINA II/The Friends & Enemies of Modern Music Machina II/The Friends & Enemies of Modern Music is the sixth album by American alternative rock band The Smashing Pumpkins. It was released for free on the Internet on September 5, 2000... (2000) |
|
 |
1988–1996, 1999–2000, 2006–2009 | drums, percussion | Gish Gish Gish is the debut album by American alternative rock band The Smashing Pumpkins, released in May 1991 through Caroline Records. Frontman Billy Corgan described Gish as a "very spiritual album"... (1991), Siamese Dream Siamese Dream Siamese Dream is the second album by the American alternative rock band The Smashing Pumpkins, released on July 27, 1993 on Virgin Records. The album fused diverse influences such as shoegazing, dream pop, grunge, classic rock, heavy metal, and progressive rock.Despite recording sessions fraught... (1993), Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness is the third album by American alternative rock band The Smashing Pumpkins, released October 24, 1995 on Virgin Records. Produced by frontman Billy Corgan with Flood and Alan Moulder, the twenty-eight-track album was released as a two-disc CD and triple LP... (1995), Machina/The Machines of God MACHINA/The Machines of God Machina/The Machines of God is the fifth album by American alternative rock band The Smashing Pumpkins, released on February 29, 2000 by Virgin Records. A concept album, it marked the return of drummer Jimmy Chamberlin and was intended to be the band's final official LP release prior to their first... (2000), Machina II/The Friends and Enemies of Modern Music (2000), Zeitgeist Zeitgeist (The Smashing Pumpkins album) Zeitgeist is the seventh album by American alternative rock band The Smashing Pumpkins, released on July 10, 2007 in the United States and Canada. It was the first album The Smashing Pumpkins released after their 2000 disbandment and 2005 reunion. The album was produced by Roy Thomas Baker, Billy... (2007) |
|
| 1988–1999 | bass guitar, backing vocals | All The Smashing Pumpkins releases until Machina/The Machines of God (2000) | ||
 |
1999–2000 | bass guitar | noneAuf der Maur performed on a live version of "Rock On" on Judas O, the bonus disc to The Smashing Pumpkins' greatest hits, Rotten Apples Rotten Apples Rotten Apples is a greatest hits compilation album by alternative rock band The Smashing Pumpkins. In the US, it was released in 2001 along with a bonus disc titled Judas O. The album's concluding track, "Untitled", was the Pumpkins' final recording before their breakup... . |
Former touring musicians
The Smashing Pumpkins has employed numerous touring musicians throughout its career. The following members accompanied the band in a live setting, while providing few, if any, studio contributions.| Image | Name | Years active | Instruments | Reference(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| |
1992–1994 | cello | ||
| |
1995–1996 | keyboards | ||
| |
1996–1997 | drums, percussion | ||
| |
1996–1997 | keyboards | ||
| 1998–1999 | drums, percussion | |||
| |
1998–1999 | percussion | ||
| |
1998–1999 | percussion | ||
| 1998–1999, 2000 | piano Piano The piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal... , keyboards |
|||
| |
2000 | keyboards, vocoder | ||
| 2007–2009 | keyboards | |||
 |
2007–2010 | bass guitar, backing vocals | ||
| 2010 | bass guitar |
Former temporary touring musicians
In 2008, The Smashing Pumpkins temporary employed additional live musicians who only played a handful of shows with the band.| Image | Name | Years active | Instruments | Reference(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | trumpet Trumpet The trumpet is the musical instrument with the highest register in the brass family. Trumpets are among the oldest musical instruments, dating back to at least 1500 BCE. They are played by blowing air through closed lips, producing a "buzzing" sound which starts a standing wave vibration in the air... |
|||
| 2008 | trombone Trombone The trombone is a musical instrument in the brass family. Like all brass instruments, sound is produced when the player’s vibrating lips cause the air column inside the instrument to vibrate... |
|||
| |
2008 | keyboards, accordion Accordion The accordion is a box-shaped musical instrument of the bellows-driven free-reed aerophone family, sometimes referred to as a squeezebox. A person who plays the accordion is called an accordionist.... |
||
| |
2008 | 10-string violin |